Dean Caswell (1922–2022), World War II flying ace
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2 min readDean Caswell was the last living U.S. Marine Corps flying ace from World War II.
- Died: September 21, 2022 (Who else died on September 21?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Austin, Texas at the age of 100.
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27-year military career
Caswell applied for U.S. Navy flight training two weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and fought in the Pacific Theater during World War II. There, he was credited with at least 10 planes shot down, qualifying him as a flying ace. Caswell remained in the Marine Corps after World War II, serving in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War before his retirement in 1968. He flew more than 100 missions and was never hit – no bullet holes were ever found on his plane. He was honored with medals including a Silver Star and three Distinguished Flying Crosses. In later years, Caswell worked in money management.
Notable quote
“I had always wanted to fly planes. I dreamed about it practically each day. Every time a plane flew overhead I had to stop and look at it.” —from an interview with Robert Bluestein
Tributes to Dean Caswell
Full obituary: Austin American-Statesman
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